Monday, March 5, 2012

'Nuff said

(Taking context-optional note of thought-provoking quotes)

'These claims seriously shock me, especially when they're by respected human rights activists. Why are they saying that? Because I'm a woman? Because I'm African? They surely wouldn't say that if I were a man or a Westerner. It's pure discrimination. If I was easily influenced or not too inclined on prosecuting those who commit crimes, I would have never set my sights on this position. Rest assured I will be an impartial and independent Chief Prosecutor. Those who don't believe it are seriously mistaken.'

-- International Criminal Court Prosecutor-Elect Fatou Bensouda (above), in an interview we just ran across. It was published soon after her election in The Africa Report, a Paris-based monthly magazine. (photo credit) The comments by Bensouda (who recently honored IntLawGrrls by publishing her election-day address to the ICC Assembly of States Parties) came in response to this assertion by the interviewer: "Certain leaders on the continent [Europe] seem convinced that you'll be less likely to go after crimes committed by Africans..."